Fiber access terminal

ABSTRACT

A fiber access terminal for mounting to the end of a fiber distribution cable and configured to be extended through a buried conduit. The fiber distribution cable may include a plurality of optical fibers and enters a housing of the terminal through a base. The terminal also includes a plurality of fiber optic connectors or adapters extending through the housing in generally the same direction as the fiber distribution cable for connecting to optical fiber customer drop cables. The terminal includes a cover and the housing defining an interior and the interior includes a cable slack storage arrangement providing bend radius protection for the optical fiber cables within the interior. A method of assembling a fiber access terminal. A fiber access terminal assembly including a pedestal mounting arrangement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/075,847, filed Mar. 8, 2005, which application claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/551,164, filed Mar.8, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/600,129, filed Aug.9, 2004, which applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entirety.

BACKGROUND

Expansion of fiber optic based telecommunication service is beingexpended to greater diversity of businesses and homes. Many of theseextensions of service within neighborhoods, industrial parks andbusiness developments utilize optical fiber distribution cables laidwithin buried conduit. Such optical fiber distribution cables mightextend from a larger fiber distribution terminal or pedestal to asmaller fiber access terminal directly adjacent the business or home towhich service may be provided. From the fiber access terminal to thehome or business, a fiber drop cable may connect to the home orbusiness.

A fiber distribution terminal may be configured to receive fibers from acentral office and contain a number of splitters. Each of the fibersfrom the central office may carry a large number of signals and thesplitters separate the compound signals into individual circuits. Theseindividual circuits are then transmitted through individual opticalfibers. Each of the fibers from the main office may enter one of thesplitters in the fiber distribution terminal and the splitter may directeach of these signals into up to thirty-two fibers. A typical fiberdistribution terminal may be configured to support from 100 fibers up to1500 fibers. The smaller fiber access terminals may more typically houseup to 8 or 12 fibers. The fiber distribution cables between the fiberdistribution terminal and the fiber access terminal may have these eightto twelve fibers bundled together in a single multi-strand cable. Withinthe fiber access terminal, these multiple strands are broken out of themultistrand cable so that each fiber may be directed to an individualcustomer.

Currently, when fiber optic cables are extended from a fiberdistribution terminal to a fiber access terminal, a variety oftechniques are available for pulling and/or pushing the cable throughthe conduit. However, such cables must then be terminated andconnectorized at the fiber access terminal. Termination andconnectorizing is preferable performed in an environmentally stable andprotected environment, such as a factory. Contamination of the fiber,the fiber end face or the junctions between fibers can degrade orinhibit communication with the customer.

Improvements to current fiber distribution cables and fiber accessterminals are desirable.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to a fiber access terminal assembly with afiber optic distribution cable, and a fiber enclosure at one end of thefiber optic distribution cable. The fiber enclosure is configured to beinserted through a hollow conduit with a top end positioned in adirection of insertion into the conduit. The fiber enclosure includes aterminal body and a removable cover which cooperate to define aninterior, the top end and a base end. The base end of the fiberenclosure includes a first opening through which the fiber opticdistribution cable enters the interior of the fiber enclosure. The fiberoptic distribution cable includes a plurality of optical fiber strands.Optical fiber strands from the distribution cable are separated withinthe interior of the enclosure and terminated with fiber opticconnectors.

The terminal body includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters extendingthrough the terminal body. Each of the adapters has a first end withinthe interior configured to receive one of the connectors of the opticalfiber strands, and a second end outside the interior of the enclosure.The second ends are configured to receive a connector of an opticalfiber drop cable extending to an exterior of the fiber enclosure andextend generally in the direction of the fiber optic distribution cable.The interior includes a cable slack storage arrangement for storingexcess cable length of any of the optical fiber strands between thefiber optic distribution cable and the first end of an adapter. Thecable slack storage arrangement also provides bend radius protection forthe optical fiber strands stored within the cable slack storagearrangement.

The present invention further relates to a method of assembling a fiberaccess terminal to the end of a fiber distribution cable. The terminalincludes an enclosure defined by a housing and a cover. In anenvironmentally protected location, a fiber optic distribution cable isextended through a first opening in the housing into the interior of thehousing and secured to a strain relief. A plurality of optical fiberstrands are separated from the fiber optic distribution cable within theinterior of the enclosure body. Each of the optical fiber strands areterminated with a fiber optic connector within the interior of theenclosure body. The optical fiber strands within the interior of thehousing are extended about a cable slack storage arrangement within theinterior. The fiber optic connectors are connected to one of a pluralityof mating fiber optic adapters. The fiber optic adapters extend throughthe housing from the interior to outside the housing and include asecond end outside the housing for connecting with a mating fiber opticconnector. The second end is configured to receive a fiber optic dropcable extending from generally the same direction as the fiber opticdistribution cable. The cover is positioned to close off an open side ofthe housing and the interior to form the fiber enclosure and the fiberenclosure is configured to pass through a buried conduit.

The present invention also relates to a fiber access terminal assemblyincluding a fiber optic distribution cable with a first end and a secondend, a fiber enclosure at the second end of the fiber optic distributioncable, and a pedestal mounting arrangement. The fiber enclosure includesa terminal body and a removable cover cooperating to define an interior,the top end and a base end. The base end of the fiber enclosure includesa first opening through which the fiber optic distribution cable entersthe interior of the fiber enclosure. The fiber optic distribution cableincludes a plurality of optical fiber strands, the plurality of opticalfiber strands separated from the fiber optic distribution cable withinthe interior and terminated with fiber optic connectors. The terminalbody includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters extending through theterminal body. Each of the adapters has a first end within the interiorconfigured to receive one of the connectors of the optical fiber strandswithin the interior, and a second end accessible from outside theterminal body configured to receive a connector of an optical fiber dropcable extending to an exterior of the fiber enclosure. The interiorincludes a cable slack storage arrangement for storing excess cablelength of any of the optical fiber strands between the fiber opticdistribution cable and the first end of an adapter, the cable slackstorage arrangement providing bend radius protection for the opticalfiber strands stored within the cable slack storage arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of the description, illustrate several aspects of the invention andtogether with the detailed description, serve to explain the principlesof the invention. A brief description of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a fiber access terminal accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the fiber access terminal of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a first side view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a second side view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 1,offset approximately ninety degrees from the side view of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a top end view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a base end view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of a terminal body of the fiberaccess terminal of FIG. 1, from a base end of the terminal body.

FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the terminal body of FIG. 7,showing more of the base of the terminal body.

FIG. 9 is a third perspective view of the terminal body of FIG. 7, froma top opposite the base.

FIG. 10 is a first side view of the terminal body of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a second side view of the terminal body of FIG. 7, offsetapproximately ninety degrees from the side view of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a top end view of the terminal body of FIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a base end view of the terminal body of FIG. 7.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a fiber accessterminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the fiber access terminal ofFIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a first side view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is a second side view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 14,offset approximately ninety degrees from the side view of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a third side view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 14,opposite the side view of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a top end view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is a base end view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 14.

FIG. 21 is a first perspective view of a terminal body of the fiberaccess terminal of FIG. 14.

FIG. 22 is a second perspective view of the terminal body of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a first side view of the terminal body of FIG. 21.

FIG. 24 is a second side view of the terminal body of FIG. 21, oppositethe side view of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a terminal mount with the fiber accessterminal of FIG. 13 mounted.

FIG. 26 is a front view of the terminal mount of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a front view of a third embodiment of a fiber access terminalaccording to the present invention, with a fiber distribution cableentering the terminal through a base.

FIG. 28 is a front view of the terminal of FIG. 27, with the cover openand the fiber distribution cable extending within the interior of theterminal.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 28.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the terminal of FIG. 27, offset approximatelyninety degrees from the side view of FIG. 27, without the fiberdistribution cable.

FIG. 31 is an end view of the base of the terminal of FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an end view of a top of the terminal of FIG. 30.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a back of the terminal of FIG. 30.

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the side of the terminal of FIG. 30.

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the front of the terminal of FIG. 30.

FIG. 36 is a second perspective view of the back of the terminal of FIG.33.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a second side of the terminal of FIG.30.

FIG. 38 is a front view of the terminal of FIG. 30, with the cover opento show the interior of the terminal.

FIG. 39 is a side view of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 40 is an end view of the base of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 41 is an end view of the top of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 42 is a front perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 43 is a second front perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 44 is a side perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 45 is a second side perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 46 is a back perspective view of the terminal of FIG. 38.

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a fourth alternative embodiment of afiber access terminal according to the present invention, includingpedestal mounting.

FIGS. 48 to 51 are a series of four side views of the fiber accessterminal and pedestal of FIG. 47, rotated approximately ninety degreesfrom each other.

FIG. 52 is a top view of the fiber access terminal and pedestal of FIG.47.

FIG. 53 is a bottom view of the fiber access terminal and pedestal ofFIG. 47.

FIG. 54 is an exploded perspective view of the fiber access terminal andpedestal of FIG. 47.

FIG. 55 is a perspective view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 47,removed from the pedestal.

FIG. 56 is a top view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 is a bottom view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 55.

FIGS. 58 to 61 are a series of four side views of the fiber accessterminal and pedestal of FIG. 55, rotated approximately ninety degreesfrom each other.

FIG. 62 is an exploded perspective view of the fiber access terminal ofFIG. 55, with a multi-fiber communications cable entering the bottom ofthe fiber access terminal and individual optical fibers directed to eachof the optical fiber drop connectors.

FIG. 63 is a closer view of the multi-fiber communications cableentering the bottom of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 62.

FIGS. 64 to 67 are a series of four side views of the fiber accessterminal of FIG. 62 with the cover removed.

FIG. 68 is a top view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 62 with thecover removed.

FIG. 69 is a bottom view of the fiber access terminal of FIG. 62 withthe cover removed.

FIG. 70 is a first perspective view of a fiber access terminal housingof a fifth alternative embodiment of a fiber access terminal accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 71 is a second perspective view of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 72 is a view of an exterior back of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG.70.

FIG. 73 is a side view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 74 is a view of an interior front of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 75 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber access terminal of FIG.70, taken along line 75-75 of FIG. 74.

FIG. 76 is a closer view of connector mounting locations of the fiberaccess terminal housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 77 is a base end cross-sectional view of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 70, taken along line 77-77 of FIG. 74.

FIG. 78 is a top end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.70, with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 78-78 in FIG.72.

FIG. 79 is a base end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.70 with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 79-79 in FIG.72.

FIG. 80 is a first perspective view of a cover for use with the fiberaccess terminal housing of FIG. 70.

FIG. 81 is a second perspective view of the cover of FIG. 80.

FIG. 82 is a view of an interior front of the cover of FIG. 80.

FIG. 83 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 80, with a partialcross-sectional view taken along line 83-83 in FIG. 82.

FIG. 84 is a view of an exterior back of the cover of FIG. 80.

FIG. 85 is a cross-sectional base end view of the cover of FIG. 80,taken along line 85-85 in FIG. 84.

FIG. 86 is a partially exploded view of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 70, with a portion of the threaded fastener insertsexploded.

FIG. 87 is a closer view of one end of the fiber access terminal of FIG.86, showing two of the threaded fastener inserts exploded.

FIG. 88 is a cross-sectional view of one of the threaded fastenerinserts positioned within an opening of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 86.

FIG. 89 is a perspective view of the interior front of the fiber accessterminal housing of FIG. 70, with three ruggedized fiber connectorsmounted within mounting openings of the housing and a fourth fiberconnector exploded from another mounting opening.

FIG. 90 is a first perspective view of a cable clamp halve for use withthe fiber access housing of FIG. 70 and the cover of FIG. 80.

FIG. 91 is a second perspective view of the cable clamp of FIG. 90.

FIG. 92 is a side view of an outer side of the cable clamp of FIG. 90.

FIG. 93 is a side view of an inner side of the cable clamp of FIG. 90.

FIG. 94 is an end cross-sectional view of the cable clamp of FIG. 90,taken along line 94-94 of FIG. 92.

FIG. 95 is an end partial cross-sectional view of the cable clamp ofFIG. 90, taken along line 95-95 of FIG. 92.

FIG. 96 is a cross-sectional view of the cable clamp of FIG. 90, takenalong line 96-96 of FIG. 92.

FIG. 97 is a closer view of an outer sheath clamping area of the cableclamp of FIG. 93.

FIG. 98 is a closer view of the outer sheath clamping area of the cableclamp of FIG. 96.

FIG. 99 is a closer view of a cable routing channel of the cable clampof FIG. 95.

FIG. 100 is a perspective view of a cable routing and management insertfor use with the fiber access housing of FIG. 70 and the cover of FIG.80.

FIG. 101 is a first side of the cable routing and management insert ofFIG. 100.

FIG. 102 is an edge view of the cable routing and management insert ofFIG. 100.

FIG. 103 is a first perspective view of a fiber access terminal housingof a sixth alternative embodiment of a fiber access terminal accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 104 is a second perspective view of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 103.

FIG. 105 is a view of an exterior back of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 103.

FIG. 106 is a side view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.103.

FIG. 107 is a view of an interior front of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 103.

FIG. 108 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber access terminal of FIG.103, taken along line 108-108 of FIG. 107.

FIG. 109 is a closer perspective view of connector mounting locations ofthe fiber access terminal housing of FIG. 103.

FIG. 110 is a base end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.103.

FIG. 111 is a top end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.103, with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 111-111 inFIG. 105.

FIG. 112 is a base end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.103, with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 112-112 inFIG. 105.

FIG. 113 is a first perspective view of a cover for use with the fiberaccess terminal housing of FIG. 103.

FIG. 114 is a second perspective view of the cover of FIG. 113.

FIG. 115 is a view of an interior front of the cover of FIG. 113.

FIG. 116 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 113, with a partialcross-sectional view taken along line 116-116 in FIG. 115.

FIG. 117 is a view of an exterior back of the cover of FIG. 113.

FIG. 118 is a cross-sectional base end view of the cover of FIG. 113,taken along line 118-118 in FIG. 117.

FIG. 119 is a is a perspective view of a cable routing and managementinsert for use with the fiber access housing of FIG. 103 and the coverof FIG. 113.

FIG. 120 is a first side of the cable routing and management insert ofFIG. 119.

FIG. 121 is an edge view of the cable routing and management insert ofFIG. 119.

FIG. 122 is a base end view of the cable routing and management insertof FIG. 119.

FIG. 123 is a perspective view of the cable routing and managementinsert of FIG. 119, with a multi-fiber fiber optic cable partiallyinstalled and routed about the insert.

FIG. 124 is a closer view of a top end of the cable routing andmanagement insert of FIG. 123, with a cable fanout mounted to theinsert.

FIG. 125 is a first perspective view of a fiber access terminal housingof a seventh alternative embodiment of a fiber access terminal accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 126 is a second perspective view of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 125.

FIG. 127 is a view of an exterior back of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 125.

FIG. 128 is a side view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.125.

FIG. 129 is a view of an interior front of the fiber access terminalhousing of FIG. 125.

FIG. 130 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber access terminal of FIG.125, taken along line 130-130 of FIG. 129.

FIG. 131 is a closer perspective view of connector mounting locations ofthe fiber access terminal housing of FIG. 125.

FIG. 132 is a base end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.125.

FIG. 133 is a top end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.125, with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 133-133 inFIG. 127.

FIG. 134 is a base end view of the fiber access terminal housing of FIG.125, with a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 134-134 inFIG. 127.

FIG. 135 is a first perspective view of a cover for use with the fiberaccess terminal housing of FIG. 125.

FIG. 136 is a second perspective view of the cover of FIG. 135.

FIG. 137 is a view of an exterior back of the cover of FIG. 135.

FIG. 138 is a view of an interior front of the cover of FIG. 135.

FIG. 139 is a side view of the cover of FIG. 135.

FIG. 140 is base end view of the cover of FIG. 135.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the presentinvention which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a fiber access terminal 100 for mounting to a fiberdistribution cable. Terminal 100 includes a cover 102 and a housing 104.Housing 104 includes a central distribution cable entry fitting 106 anda plurality of fiber optic connectors 108 extending through housing 104.Cover 102 includes a top end 110 with a tab 112. Tab 112 is configuredto permit a pull-through rope, cable or wire to be attached to terminal100 for pulling terminal 100 through a conduit. An opening 114 in tab112 is provided for attaching the pull through. As shown, terminal 100is configured to receive a single fiber distribution cable and connectto up to eight fiber drop cables. These cables would extend to housing104 of terminal 100, accessible through an open bottom end 116 of cover102.

Cover 102 includes a pair of fastener openings 118 positioned adjacentbottom end 116 extending through a cylindrical side wall 120. Openings118 receive fasteners to releasably hold cover 102 about base 104 whileallowing access into an interior of terminal 100. FIG. 5 shows top end110 of terminal 100 with tab 112 centrally positioned. FIG. 6 showshousing 104 positioned within cover 102 with distribution cable fitting106 centrally located and fiber optic cable connectors 108 evenly spacedabout housing 104 around fitting 106.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 13, housing 104 includes a base 122 throughwhich fitting 106 and cable connectors 108 extend. Each of the cableconnectors 108 includes a first or inner end 138 and a second or outerend 136 and extends through a connector opening in base 122 (connectoropenings are not visible as they are occluded by connectors 108). Bothends 136 and 138 are configured to receive and mate with a fiber opticcable connector. Fitting 106 defines an opening 144 also extendingthrough base 122 of base 104 so that a fiber distribution cable may passthrough base 122 into an interior of defined about an inner structure124 of terminal 100 by cover 102. Inner structure 124 includes a top end126 which is positioned within cover 102 adjacent top end 110. Aboutbase 122 is a circumferential wall 128 sized to fit within cover 102 andfit closely with an inner wall of cover 102 adjacent bottom end 116. Atleast one seal, such as o-rings 130, are positioned about base 104 toprovide a weather-tight seal between cover 102 and base 104.

Extending through circumferential wall 128 is a pair of openings 134 forreceiving fasteners extending through openings 118 of cover 102.Openings 134 are formed through a pair of fastener bosses 132, providingadditional material for the fasteners to extend within. On a bulkhead146 of inner structure 124 between base 122 and top 126 are plurality ofcable routing guides 140 to provide cable slack storage and bend radiusprotection to fiber optic cables extending into and within terminal 100.An outer wall 142 extends about bulkhead 146 to help retain cableswithin cable guides 140 and prevent pinching or other damages to cableswhen cover 102 is positioned about base 104. As shown, inner structure124 is a two-sided structure with similar arrangements of cable guides140 and outer wall 142 on either side. A plurality of openings 148extend between the opposing sides of inner structure 124 and a pluralityof cable tabs 150 of cable guides 140 are positioned adjacent each ofthe openings 148. Cables passing about cable guides 140 on one side ofinner structure 124 may pass through one of the openings 148 to passabout one of the cable guides 140 of the other side and then be directedto one of the inner ends 138 of connectors 108. Tabs 150 are provided tohold cables about cable guides 140. Tabs 150 and openings 148 are shownpositioned adjacent each other but other configurations are alsoanticipated.

Inner structure may also include a distribution cable tie-off or strainrelief fixture adjacent fitting 106 so that the fiber distribution cableextending through opening 144 may be securely held within terminal 100.

Terminal 100 is expected to be pulled through a buried conduit andmounted in a field enclosure adjacent a customer's home or business.Such a field housing may not provide a weather-tight seal or may besubject to damage allowing entry of contaminants. Fiber optic connectors108 are anticipated to be environmentally hardened connectors,permitting connection of fiber optic drop cables to connect to customerequipment but providing protection to the connector and connection atfiber access terminal 100. Terminal 100 is configured to be mountedvertically within such a field housing with top 110 of cover 102 up. Thefiber distribution cable would extend out of housing 104 downward andany customer service drop cables connected to connectors 108 would alsoextend generally downward alongside the distribution cable. Such aconfiguration provides increased protection of the connectors 108 andany connections between connectors 108 and the customer service dropcables.

Referring now to FIGS. 14 to 20, a second embodiment 200 of a fiberaccess terminal according to the present invention is shown. As shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, terminal 200 includes a cover 202 and a housing 204having a top end 226. A plurality of fasteners 231 extend through aplurality of openings 234 in cover 202 and are received within fastenerbosses 232 of housing 204 to releasably hold cover 202 to housing 204.Extending through a base 222 of housing 204 is a fiber distributioncable fitting 106 to permit passage of a fiber distribution cablethrough housing 204 into an interior 203 of terminal 200. A plurality offiber optic connectors 108 are positioned adjacent cable fitting 106adjacent base 222.

Connectors 108 include inner ends 138 and outer ends 136. As shown,within each connector 108 is a fiber optic adapter 236. Positionedwithin each of inner ends 138 in fiber optic adapter 236 is a cableconnector 238. The fiber optic distribution cable entering interior 203through fitting 106 may be a multistrand cable and each of theindividual optical fibers may be broken out of the distribution cablewithin interior 203. These individual optical fibers may be routedwithin interior 203 about a cable guide 240 positioned adjacent top end226 and may be terminated by cable connector 238. Such break-outs andterminations are well known in the telecommunications industry.

Cable guide 240 may include one or more tabs 250 to aid in keepingoptical fiber cables within interior 203 in the desired position toslack storage and bend radius protection. A wall 242 extends aroundhousing 204 and includes an upper edge 229. Upper edge 229 is preferablydefines a plane so that cover 202 can mate closely with housing 204. Aseal such as a gasket 230 (not shown in the FIGS.) may be positionedbetween upper edge 229 and cover 202 to aid in forming a weathertightseal for interior 203.

Referring to FIG. 20, fitting 106 includes opening 144 extending throughbase 222 into interior 203 to permit entry of the fiber distributioncable. In FIG. 20, four of the eight connectors 108 are visible and arearranged in a semicircle about fitting 106. These four connectors 108are mounted through mounting surfaces 258 positioned about base 222.Outer end 136 of each of the visible connectors 108 is angled radiallywith respect to opening 144 and fitting 106. This angling of thoseconnectors 108 closest to fitting 106 can be seen in FIGS. 21 to 24, andaids in access to the outer ends 136 for connecting fiber optic dropcables to provide a service connection between a customer and the fiberdistribution cable.

As can be seen in FIGS. 21 to 24, the other four connectors 108 aresimilarly arranged in a semi-circle and are angled outward, althoughthey are positioned between base 222 and top end 226. A narrowed waistarea 260 is provided in housing 204 so that these second set of fourconnectors may be positioned as desired and not increase the overallwidth of terminal 200. Similarly to terminal 100, terminal 200 isconfigured to be passed through a buried conduit to extend fiber opticconnectivity between a fiber distribution terminal and a fiber accessterminal. As many of these conduits are limited in diameter, it isdesirable that housing 204 provide an arrangement of connectors 108 thatimproves access for connecting drop cables while not unduly increasingthe overall width of terminal 200. Waist area 260 provides mountingsurfaces 262 for the set of four connectors 108 offset from base 222 andinsets these four connectors 108 to approximately the same width as thefour connectors 108 mounted to surfaces 258.

All of the eight connectors 108 permit connection of drop cables forconnecting to a customer which are generally from the same direction asthe fiber distribution cable entering interior 203 through fitting 106and opening 144. FIGS. 25 and 26 illustrate the mounting of terminal 200within a terminal mount 270 extending upward from a mounting base 272 toa top 280. Terminal 200 is mounted to an inner bulkhead 271 to which arealso mounted a plurality of cable routing guides 274 to provide for bendradius protection and cable slack storage which may be used for amulti-fiber fiber distribution cable 276 or a plurality of customer dropcables 278. By mounting terminal 200 as shown in FIGS. 25 and 26,fitting 106 and connectors 108 are positioned downward to preventcontaminants from falling in. By directing all cables 276 and 278 toterminal 200 from the same direction, that is, from beneath toward base222, cable management within terminal mount 270 may be simplified. It isanticipated that terminal mount 270 could be adapted and configured foruse with terminal 100, described above, as well as with the alternativeembodiments of fiber access terminals described below.

FIGS. 27 to 29 illustrate a third alternative embodiment 300 of a fiberaccess terminal according to the present invention, with a fiberdistribution cable 276 extending through fitting 106 in a base 322.Terminal 300 includes a cover 302 and a housing 304 defining an interior303 when closed about a hinge 316, as shown in FIG. 27. As shown inFIGS. 28 and 29, cover 302 has been rotated about hinge 316 to exposeinterior 303. A catch 317 may be included along a side opposite hinge316 to releasably hold cover 302 to housing 304 about interior 303.Mounted within interior 303 on cover 302 are several cable guides 340for providing bend radius protection and cable slack storage, and acable splice holder 308. Mounted within interior 303 on housing 304 is acable tie-off or strain relief 306 to receive and anchor fiberdistribution cable 276. Cable 276 is a multi-strand cable broken outinto individual optical fiber cables 310 which are routed about cableguides 340 and are terminated with cable connectors 238 and connected toinner ends 138 of connectors 108.

It is anticipated that cable 276 may have more optic fibers thanconnectors 108 of terminal 300. These additional fibers may or may notpre-terminated and may be broken out and kept available within interior303. These additional fibers would then be available to use as areplacement connection should one of the other fiber cables 310 or cableconnectors 238 be damaged. If these additional fibers are notpre-terminated with connectors 238, they can be field spliced to aconnector 238. Splice block 308 is provided within interior 303 to holdand protect such splices if they are needed.

At a top end 326 of terminal 30 may be formed a tab 312 with an opening314. Tab 312 is similar to tab 112, described above, and provides atie-off for attaching a line to pull terminal 300 through a buriedconduit from a fiber distribution terminal to a fiber access terminalmount similar to mount 270, shown above. Referring now also to FIG. 30,housing 304 includes a plurality of mounting faces 358, 359, 362 and363, for mounting connectors 108. Between the mounting faces arenarrowed waist areas 360 which serve a similar role to waist area 260,described above. Connectors 108 are angled out with respect to fitting106 but are similarly configured to terminal 200, pointed down toreceive cables 278.

Referring now FIGS. 31 and 32, the two connectors 108 nearest base 322occlude the remaining six connectors 108, when viewed from base end 322,while the two connectors 108 closest to top end 326 occlude theremaining connectors 108 when viewed from top end 326. Mounting surfaces358, 359, 362 and 363 cooperate with waist areas 360 to ensure thatouter ends 136 of connectors 108 may be angled out and accessible alonghousing 304 while not unduly increasing the size of terminal 300. FIGS.33 to 37 provide additional views of terminal 300 with cover 302 andhousing 304 closed about interior 303. FIGS. 38 to 46 provide additionalviews of terminal 300 with cover 302 hinged open about hinge 316.Referring to FIG. 42, cover 302 may include a recess 338 about an inneredge and housing 304 includes a upper edge 339. Recess 338 and edge 339cooperate to create a seal between cover 302 and housing 304 whenterminal 300 is closed about interior 303. A seal such as an o-ring or agasket may be positioned within recess 338 to improve the seal.Referring to FIGS. 43 and 44, a pair of cable retainers 380 may beprovided along an inner wall 382 of housing 304 to releasably holdcables 310 which might be included within distribution cable 276 but notinitially connected to one of the connectors 108. Alternatively, cableretainers 380 might be used to aid in the routing of cables 310 whichare connected with one of the connectors 108, as desired or required bya particular installation.

FIG. 47 illustrates a fourth alternative embodiment fiber accessterminal and pedestal unit 402, including a fiber access terminal 400and a pedestal assembly 404. Terminal and pedestal unit 402 alsoincludes a stake 406 and a pair of lower access door pairs 408. Stake406 allows unit 402 to be used as a pedestal for mounting fiber accessterminal 400 adjacent to the customer locations without the need for aseparate pedestal assembly. Terminals 100, 200 and 300, shown above, areconfigured to be mounted within a separate pedestal structure, as shownin FIG. 25, although they may also be configured similar to unit 402 toprovide a common fiber access terminal and pedestal mounting unit. Loweraccess door pairs 408 allow terminal 400 to be mounted above groundlevel for environmental protection, and still protect the fiberdistribution and customer drop cables that may be connected to terminal400.

FIGS. 48 to 54 show additional views of terminal and pedestal unit 402.Access door pairs 408 are held to a pair of internal support channels410 and 412 by fasteners 414 which include security features to deterunauthorized access to unit 402 and terminal 400. As shown, the securityfeature is a can washer 416 positioned about each threaded fastener 414which prevents use of standard wrenches or sockets to remove thefasteners. Each access door pair may preferably include a pair ofidentical doors 418, although non-identical doors may also be used. Anupper portion of stake 406 extends above the ground when stake 406 ispositioned in the field. A pair of fasteners 420 extend through upperportion 422 to mount internal support channel 412 to stake 406.

In use, terminal 400 might be preconfigured to terminate a fiberdistribution cable, as described above with regard to terminals 100, 200and 300. The distribution cable would be extended from a fiberdistribution terminal or pedestal to a position adjacent one or morecurrent or future customer locations. Typically the distribution cablewould be trenched and buried but other arrangements may also be used. Atthe desired position, stake 406 may be driven into the ground to a depthrequired to protect against frost heave or environmentally causedmovement, accidental movement or deliberate vandalism. The lowestmounted access door pair 408 would preferably be in contact or have itslower edge recessed beneath ground level.

To connect a customer to terminal 400, a pre-terminated andconnectorized customer drop cable would be extended to a customerpremises and trenched to a point adjacent unit 402. One or both of theaccess door pairs may be removed to provide access to terminal 400. Fromthe trench, the drop cable would be extended to the base of terminal 400and the connector of the cable mated with one of the connectors in thebase of terminal 400. This will optically connect the customer dropcable with one of a plurality of fiber strands of the fiber distributioncable, providing fiber optic connectivity to the customer. The accessdoor pairs would then be reinstalled to unit 402 about the fiberdistribution cable and any customer drop cables to protect the cablesand the connectors in the base of terminal 400.

Referring now to FIG. 53, on a base 432 of terminal 400 are a pluralityof fiber optic cable connectors 424 which terminate fiber optic dropcables 428, and a distribution cable entry fixture 426 through which adistribution cable 427 extends. Connectors 424 and drop cables 428 arepart of customer drop cables to permit connection of customer premisesequipment to optical fiber within distribution cable 427. Connectors 424are shown as Corning OptiTap connectors. It is anticipated that othertypes and styles of drop cable connectors may be used which provide somedegree of environmental sealing.

FIGS. 55 to 62 show terminal 400 including a cover 434 mounted to base432 and held in place by fasteners 431 extending through openings 452(see FIG. 62) in cover 434 and received within openings 458 in base 432.Alignment pins 430 are also included in base 432 and are received withinslots 450 in cover 434. A pair of brackets 436 extend from base 432 tobe attached to an upper end of channels 410 and 412. The connection ofchannels 410 and 412 to base 432 ties pedestal assembly 404 to terminal400 to form unit 402.

Referring now to FIG. 62, mounted atop base 432 and extending withincover 434 is an inner structure 454 including a cable slack storagespool 444 extending from both sides of structure 454. A cable fanout 440is mounted to inner structure 454 adjacent cable entry fixture 426.Distribution cable 427 includes a plurality of optical fibers. Oncedistribution cable 427 has passed through cable entry fixture 426, acable clamp 442 is provided to tie off cable 427 and any linear strengthmembers included in cable 427 to inner structure 454. Withindistribution cable 427 are a plurality of individual optical fibercables 456 which are separated out from distribution cable 427 withinfanout 440. Each spool 444 is sized to provide bend radius protection tooptical fiber cables 456 extending to each of a plurality of innerconnector fittings 438. Connectors 424 of drop cables 428 attach to anouter end of inner connector fittings 438 to optical connect to opticalfiber cables 456 fanned out from distribution cable 427. A plurality ofcable guides 446 are positioned about each spool to help retain cables456 about spools 444.

A pass-through opening 448 is positioned in inner structure 454 abovefanout 440 to permit optical fiber cables 456 to be directed to eitherspool 444 on either side of inner structure 454. This permits cables 456to be directed to the side of inner structure 454 most appropriate basedon the particular inner connector fitting 438 to which the cable 456will attach. Cable entry fitting 426 is a compression fitting configuredto fit closely about cable 426 and seal against entry water or othercontaminants through base 432 when cover 434 is in place.

Referring now to FIG. 63, a pair of O-rings 468 are positioned aboutbase 432 to engage a lower edge of cover 434 and provide anenvironmental seal about the junction between base 432 and cover 434.Cable clamp 442 mates with a cable clamp fitting on inner structure 454about distribution cable 427 below fanout 440. Screws 443 extend throughcable clamp 442 and are received within openings 462 in clamp fitting460. Within each inner connector fitting 438 is a fiber optic adapter439. While not shown in FIG. 63, each of the fiber optic cables 456would preferably be terminated by a fiber optic connector. The fiberoptic connectors terminating each of the cables 456 would be receivedwithin the inner end of adapter 439 and positioned to be opticallyconnected with a customer drop cable 428 of a connector 424 whenconnector 424 is connected to inner connector fitting 438. Cable entryopening 464 through base 432 for cable 427 is sized to receive and beclosed off by cable entry fitting 426.

FIGS. 64 to 69 illustrate additional views of terminal 400 with cover434 removed. An open portion of inner structure 454 is provided abovebase 432 opposite the location of fanout 440 to permit passage of cables456 from spools 444 on either side of inner structure 454 to any of theadapters 439 on terminal 400.

It is anticipated that terminals 100, 200, 300 and 400 could beconfigured with fewer connectors 108 similarly positioned within respectto the respective top ends and bases of the terminals. Terminal 300could be configured with fewer mounting surfaces if six or fewerconnectors 108 are desired. Alternatively, any of the terminals could beconfigured with openings or mounting surfaces for the number ofconnectors shown in the FIGS., above, but without the full number ofconnectors 108 mounted, so that additional connectors 108 could be addedin the field as needed for a particular installation. Terminal 100 couldbe configured with connectors 108 angled outward with respect to fitting106. If fiber distribution cable 276 has the same number of fibers asthere are connectors 108 in any of the terminals 100, 200 or 300, asplice holder such as splice holder 308 may not be included in thatterminal. However, it is also anticipated that a splice holder can beincluded within any of the terminals 100, 200 or 300. Tie-off or strainrelief 306 of terminal 300 could be included in either of terminals 100or 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 70 to 102, components of a fifth embodiment 500of a fiber access terminal according to the present invention are shown,including a housing 502 and a mating cover 505. Cover 505 and housing502 may be assembled to form an enclosure of terminal 500 which issimilar to terminal 300, with certain differences as may be describedbelow. It is anticipated that certain features of terminal 300 may beincorporated into terminal 500 and vice versa.

Referring now to FIGS. 70 to 79 and 89, housing 502 of terminal 500includes a plurality of angled mounting projections 504 each having anopening 506 for receiving a ruggedized optical fiber cable connection508. As shown in FIG. 89, connections 508 are Corning Cable SystemsOptiTap Connector, which includes an adapter for mating two terminatedoptical fibers. Other ruggedized or environmentally sealed optical fiberconnection systems may also be used with the present invention. Housing502 includes a top 510 and a base 512, and at top 512 is a pull-throughtab 514 with an opening 516 to attaching a pull-through line. As notedabove, it is anticipated that terminal 500 might be pre-mounted to afiber distribution cable such as cable 276 and pulled through a conduitto a point where desired for connection to a customer drop cable. Atbase 512, a cable entry opening 528 is flanked by a pair of fasteneropenings 530 for mounting a cable clamp, such as shown in FIGS. 90 to99, below. Fastener openings 530 are in a pair of lower tabs 531 of baseend 512 which are positioned generally centered with the desired cableentry path through cable entry opening 528.

Housing 502 includes an interior side 518 which will form a portion ofan interior 503 when joined up with mating cover 505 shown in FIGS. 80to 85, below. About a perimeter of interior side 518 is a recess 520 forreceiving a flat gasket 522 (shown in FIG. 89). It is desirable thatterminal 500 be configured to withstand weather extremes andenvironmental exposure that may occur from being mounted below groundlevel or in a damp environment. The use of flat gasket 522 may provideimproved resistance to water or other contaminant intrusion that mightbe caused by exposure to multiple freeze-thaw cycles. A plurality offastener openings 524 are positioned about the same perimeter extendingthrough gasket 522. Fasteners such as screws may be extended throughopenings 524 to secure a cover to housing 502. Adjacent each opening 524are a pair of spacers 526 to set the desired maximum compression ofgasket 522 and prevent over tightening which may compromise theintegrity of the seal. It is anticipated that gasket 522 will extendacross cable entry opening 528 and provide a seal against a plug orinsert which is positioned about an entering fiber distribution cable,such as cable 276, above. This plug is shown in FIG. 123, below.

On an exterior side 532 of housing 502, mounting projections 504 extendat an angle, as shown by the angling of mounting axes 536 with regard toa longitudinal axis 538 of housing 502. Each pair of adjacent mountinglocations 504 defines a mounting face 533 which is angled toward baseend 512. A narrow waisted area 534 is defined between the longitudinallyseparated pair of mounted projections 504. As can be seen from the baseview of housing 502 in FIG. 77, angling of mounting projections 504allows each successive row of projections 504 to be hidden behind theadjacent rows. As shown in the FIGS. below, different alternativeembodiments of fiber access terminals similar to terminal 500 may beconfigured with more mounting projections without increasing the basearea of the terminal.

Referring now to FIGS. 74 and 75, a recess 540 within cable entryopening 528 includes an outer lip 542 and an inner lip 544. The lipscooperate with a plug or insert 541 (shown in FIG. 123, below) toprovide a environmental seal within opening 528 and cooperate withgasket 522 to complete the seal between cover 505 and housing 502.Referring now to FIGS. 71, 74, 75, and 77 to 79, a generally continuousouter wall 546 define an outer limit of gasket recess 520 and aplurality of spaced apart inner wall segments 548 cooperate to define aninner limit of gasket recess 520.

Referring now to FIGS. 80 to 85, cover 505 includes an interior side550, an exterior side 552, a top 556 and a base 558. A plurality offastener openings 554 are positioned about a perimeter of cover 505 tocorrespond with fastener openings 524 of housing 502. Interior side 552cooperates with interior side 518 of housing 502 to form interior 503when cover 505 is mounted to housing 502. Also along the perimeter ofcover 505, on interior side 552 is a gasket seal surface 560 whichcorresponds to the location of gasket recess 520 of housing 502. Ongasket surface 560 are a pair of ridges or gasket seals, an inner ridge562 and an outer ridge 564. These ridges join to form a fastener seal566 about each fastener opening 554. Within fastener seal 566 are a pairof recesses 568 which are sized to receive spacers 526 and provide asurface for spacers 526 to bottom out against. The engagement ofrecesses 568 and spacers 526 set the appropriate amount of compressionof gasket 522. The engagement also sets the appropriate amount ofdeformation of gasket 522 by ridges 562 and 564. This set amount ofdeformation provides an enhanced seal against intrusion of water orother contaminants between cover 505 and housing 502.

Referring now to FIGS. 86 to 88, a threaded insert 570 may be used toreinforce openings 524 of housing 502 to provide enhanced strength anddurability. It is anticipated that housing 502 may be constructed of amolded and/or machined polymeric material for reasons of economy andmaterials properties. Such materials may not be well suited for formingand maintaining sharp edges such as are needed to receive and secureremovable fasteners such as screws within openings 524. Threaded inserts570 may be made of a metallic or other durable material and insertedwithin openings 524 to provide a sharper and more durable thread 574 toengage a screw inserted through opening 524 from opening 554 of cover505. A knurled surface 572 may be provided along an exterior of eachinserted 570 to aid in retention of inserts 570 within an enlarged orcountersunk portion 580 or opening 524. Inserts 570 may have a shoulder576 which engages a mating shoulder 578 at the base of enlarged portion580 within opening 524. Engaging insert 570 with a screw extending fromone of openings 554 of cover 505 and tightening will tend to draw insert570 deeper within enlarged portion 580 until shoulders 576 and 578engage, preventing deeper insertion of insert 570. The screw can then betorqued sufficiently bring spacers 526 into engagement with recesses 568and set the desired degree of compression and deformation of gasket 522.

FIG. 89 illustrates housing 502 with three ruggedized connections 508positioned within openings 506 and extending from interior side 518through to exterior side 532. A fourth connection 508 is shown explodedfrom its position within the remaining opening 506. Connections 508 arecomposed of a plurality of components and permit closing off and sealingof openings 506 from environmental and contaminant intrusion. Amongthese components are an inner seal 507 and an outer o-ring 509. An outerbody assembly 582 includes a threaded portion 584 about which ispositioned outer seal 509. Threaded portion 584 is inserted throughopening 506 and is engaged by inner seal 507 and a threaded ring 586.Threaded ring 586 is used to draw outer body assembly 582 firmly withinopening 506 so that outer seal 509 engages exterior side 532 and innerseal engages interior side 518. An adapter 588 is included within outerbody assembly 582 and is accessible from interior side 518 to be engagedby interior fiber connector 592. When interior connector 592 is used toterminate an optical fiber cable, such as a fiber 10, within interior503 of terminal 500, adapter 588 positions the optical fiber for opticalconnection with a fiber held by a connector configured mate with anouter opposite end of adapter 588 and outer body assembly 582.Alternatively, as shown, an outer seal cap 590 can be positioned in theouter opposite end of outer body assembly 582 to seal adapter 588 fromexternal environmental intrusion. Gasket 522 is in place in gasketrecess 520 and includes openings 594 about each fastener opening 524 toaccommodate spacers 526.

FIGS. 90 to 99 illustrate a cable clamp half 600 for use with terminal500. As shown in FIGS. 70 to 75, lowers tab 531 is positioned on eitherside of cable entry opening 528. A pair of cable clamp halves 600 areplaced about fiber distribution cable 276 on base end 512. Each cableclamp half includes a body 602 and an extension 604 extending from oneend of the body. Two pairs of fastener openings 606 and 607 extendthrough body 602. On an end of body 602 opposite extension 604 arerecesses 608 which are sized and shaped to receive a corner of tabs 531adjacent cable entry opening 528. A fastener positioned through one ofthe openings 607 will also extend through opening 530 of tab 531 andthen into opening 607 of the second cable clamp half 600. This willsecure cable clamp halves 600 to tabs 531 and thus to housing 502 and toterminal 500. One of each pair of openings 606 and 607 includes ahex-shaped recess on an outer surface 620. When assembled about cable276, an inner face 622 of each cable clamp half 600 will rest againstthe inner face 622 of the other half 600.

Extension 604 includes a collar 612 and a pair of halves 600 may definea generally continuous collar. Collar 612 may be used to attached strainrelief boots or other similar devices about cable 276 passing through acable recess 614 formed in inner face 622. Cable recess 614 includes afirst section 616 which may sized to fit about a fiber distributioncable but not fit too closely and provide a transition for the cableinto a second section 618. Within second section 618 are a plurality ofribs 624 which extend into opening 614. Ribs 624 may cooperate to form apair of first linear channel portions 626 on either side of a mainchannel portion 628. Portions 626 are sized to fit closely about linearstrength members which may extend along one or both sides of cable 276.Portion 628 is sized to fit closely about a central tube of cable 276where the fibers are carried. Passage through cable recesses 614 of apair of cable clamp halves 600 attached to terminal 500 correctlypositions cable 276 for entry into opening 528 and into interior 503.The closeness of fit of the shapes of portions 626 and 628 about cable276 may also provide cable securing or tie-off to terminal 500, althoughit is anticipated that other cable clamping or tie-off elements may beprovided in terminal 500.

Referring now to FIGS. 100 to 102, a cable routing and management insert700 for positioning within interior side 518 of housing 502, the insertincluding a top end 702 and a base end 704. A pair of side wall 706 and708 extend from one side of a base frame 710 to define a cable routingside 712, with an opposite side 714 of frame 710 including structure forreceiving distribution cable 276 and directing the fibers 10 within thatcable to routing side 712. Cable receiving side 714 includes a pair ofbrackets 716 for holding a cable mounted device, such as fanout or asplitter mounted to the end of cable 276. From there fibers within cable276 are separated from each other and directed into an upper portion 718of side 714 where the fibers are directed to adjacent one of side 706 or708 and routed through fiber pass-throughs 720 from side 714 to side 712as the fibers extend toward top end 702.

Once on side 712, fibers are routed through an upper portion 722 ofcable routing structures of side 712 and redirected toward base end 704.The fibers may then be directed within a cable routing and slack storagepath 724 of side 712 adjacent top end 702 defined within upper portion722 between an inner wall 726 and outer containment structures 728. Asthe fibers extend within path 724 toward base end 704, path 724 becomesdefined between side walls 706 and 708, and inner walls 730 and 732,respectively. Retention tabs 734 positioned about path 724 aid theretention of fibers within path 724 between tabs 734 and frame 710.

Outside of upper portion 722, a central wall 740 extends from frame 710on side 712, dividing a lower portion 742 into two cavities, 736 and738, which correspond to the number of rows of openings 506 in housing502. Central wall 740 may also provided structural rigidity or strengthto insert 700 to resist deflection. Within each cavity 736 and 738, areopenings 744, corresponding in position to the location of connections508. Fibers may pass from cable path 724 into one of openings 744 sothat a connector mounted to the end of such fiber may be connected toconnection 508 accessible through the opening 744. Fibers may pass abouta circular path of upper portion 718 of side 714 or about cable path 724of side 712 multiple times as necessary for the amount of excess lengthof slack in the fiber between fiber distribution cable 276 and theparticular connection 508.

Referring now to FIGS. 103 to 112, a housing 802 of a seventhalternative embodiment 800 of a fiber access terminal according to thepresent invention is shown. Terminal 800 is similar in most respects toterminal 500 except that terminal 800 accommodates up to eightconnections 508 in eight openings 506 in angled mounting locations 504.Aside from the length of housing 802 required to accommodate twoadditional pairs of mounting locations 504 and openings 506, housing 504is generally the same as housing 502. Each of the pairs of mountinglocations 504 define a mounting face 533 angled toward base end 512 withnarrow waisted areas 534 between each of the mounting faces 534 and thenext adjacent pair of mounting locations 504.

As is shown in FIGS. 109 and 110, mounting openings 506 include a pairof opposing flats 804 with one of the flats 804 including a key 806.Flats 804 and key 806 correspond to mating features of threaded portion584 of connection 508 to correctly orient connection 508 within opening506 and prevent connection 508 from twisting within opening 506. Similarfeatures within opening 506 are shown in FIGS. 70 to 79, above, as wellas in FIGS. 125 to 134, below.

Referring now to FIGS. 113 to 118, a mating cover 805 for joining withhousing 802 to form an enclosure for fiber access terminal 800 is shown.Cover 805 is similarly configured to cover 505 except for being longerto accommodate the added length of housing 802 as compared to housing502. Other than length, the remaining elements of cover 805 areessentially the same as cover 505.

FIGS. 119 to 122 illustrate a cable routing and management insert 750for use with housing 802 and cover 805. Insert 750 is similarlyconfigured to insert 700, with the modification that it is elongated tofit within the longer housing 802 and to provide four additionalopenings 744 to permit fibers to extend to and connect with the fouradditional connections 508. FIG. 119 shows cable receiving side 714 isgreater detail, which includes a device receiving area between brackets716 for receiving the splitter, fanout or other device at the end offiber distribution cable 276. A pair of outer walls 765 begin adjacentdevice receiving area 717 and are positioned toward top end 702 withrespect to device receiving area 717. Outer walls 765 direct fibers fromthe device into upper portion 718 of side 714 and into a cable path 766defined between outer walls 765 and a plurality of outer wall segments767 and an inner wall 769. Pass-throughs 720 provide for fibers to bepassed from path 766 on side 714 into path 724 on side 712.

As shown in FIG. 121, cable routing side 712 is generally arrangedsimilarly to side 710 of insert 700, with extension of cable path 724 torout to and about four additional openings 744 for passing fibers frompat 724 to connections 508. To accommodate the need to route fibers totwo additional pairs of connections 508, intermediate turnouts 548 alongpath 524 are provided so that different lengths of slack may be stored.Turnouts 548 provide additional cable slack storage and routing optionswhich a single continuous loop about side 712 of insert 750 would not.Adjacent base end 704, additional outer wall segments 729 are includedto define the outer boundary of path 724.

Referring now to FIGS. 123 and 124, insert 750 is shown with fiberdistribution cable 276 extending across base end 704 to a fanout 752positioned between brackets 716. A plurality of fibers 310 extend fromfanout 752 and are split into two groups 754 of equal or similar numbersof fibers. One of these groups 754 is directed in path 766 clockwiseabout upper portion 718 and the other is directed in path 766counter-clockwise. This split arrangement permits one half of the fibers310 to be directed to connections 508 on one side or channel 736 ofinsert 750 and one half of the fibers 310 to be directed to connections508 in the other channel 738. Once fibers 310 have been positionedwithin path 766, they may be routed multiple times about path 766 tostore and manage excess cable length. A plurality of retention tabs 770are positioned about path 766 to aid on the retention of fibers 310within path 766.

FIGS. 125 to 140 illustrate an eighth alternative embodiment 900 of afiber access terminal in accordance with the present invention. FIGS.125 to 134 show a housing 902 which is consistent in design and functionwith housings 502 and 802, above. The differences between the twohousings 502, 802 and 902 are the length of the housings and the numberof mounting locations 504 and mounting openings 506 included in eachembodiment. Otherwise, details of the layout of interior side 518 andexterior side 532 are essentially the same between the embodiments.Details regarding the arrangement of features and the mounting ofconnections 508 within openings 506 are unchanged.

Similarly, FIGS. 135 to 140 show a mating cover 905 for use with housing902 to create terminal 900. Cover 905 is configured generally the sameas covers 505 and 805, above, with the difference of being longer tomate with the longer housing 902. When mated, interior sides 518 and 552face each other and define an interior 903 (not shown) within whichcable 276 and fibers 310 are extended and directed to connections 508mounted in openings 506. Cable 576 would pass into the interior throughcable entry opening 528 in a similar fashion as described above.

Further, it is anticipated that a cable routing and management insertsimilar to 700 and 750 may be configured for use with terminal 900.

The embodiments of the inventions disclosed herein have been discussedfor the purpose of familiarizing the reader with novel aspects of thepresent invention. Although preferred embodiments have been shown anddescribed, many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made byone having skill in the art without unnecessarily departing from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Having described preferredaspects and embodiments of the present invention, modifications andequivalents of the disclosed concepts may readily occur to one skilledin the art. However, it is intended that such modifications andequivalents be included within the scope of the claims which areappended hereto.

1. A terminal assembly comprising: a fiber optic cable; an enclosuredefining an interior volume, the enclosure including a first end and anopposite second end, the first end of the enclosure defining an openingthrough which the fiber optic cable enters the interior volume of theenclosure, the fiber optic cable extending away from the first end ofthe enclosure in a first direction; the fiber optic cable including aplurality of optical fibers, the optical fibers separated from oneanother within the interior volume of the enclosure, the optical fibersterminated by interior fiber optic connectors that are located withinthe interior volume of the enclosure; the enclosure defining a firstdrop cable connection region at which the enclosure defines a firstgroup of openings, the openings of the first group of openings beingpositioned generally along a first curve; and fiber optic adaptersmounted at the openings of the first group of openings, each of thefiber optic adapters including a first end accessible from within theinterior volume of the enclosure and a second end accessible fromoutside the enclosure, the interior connectors of the optical fibersbeing received within the first ends of the fiber optic adapters, thesecond ends of the fiber optic adapters being adapted to receiveconnectorized ends of exterior drop cables, and the second ends of thefiber optic adapters facing generally in the first direction.
 2. Theterminal assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic adapters are partof environmentally hardened connectors mounted to the enclosure.
 3. Theterminal assembly of claim 1, wherein the enclosure includes front andrear pieces joined by a plurality of fasteners.
 4. The terminal assemblyof claim 3, wherein the plurality of fasteners includes at least 10fasteners positioned generally about a periphery of the enclosure. 5.The terminal assembly of claim 1, wherein the enclosure defines acentral axis that extends from the first end of the enclosure to thesecond end of the enclosure, wherein the fiber optic cable is generallyparallel with the central axis, and wherein the first curve curvesgenerally about the central axis.
 6. The terminal assembly of claim 1,wherein the enclosure defines a second drop cable connection region atwhich the enclosure defines a second group of openings, the second dropcable connection region being positioned between the first drop cableconnection region and the second end of the enclosure, the openings ofthe second group of openings being positioned generally along a secondcurve, fiber optic adapters being mounted at the openings of the secondgroup of openings, each of the fiber optic adapters including a firstend accessible from within the interior volume of the enclosure and asecond end accessible from outside the enclosure, the interiorconnectors of the optical fibers being received within the first ends ofthe fiber optic adapters, the second ends of the fiber optic adaptersbeing adapted to receive connectorized ends of exterior drop cables, andthe second ends of the fiber optic adapters facing generally in thefirst direction.
 7. The terminal assembly of claim 6, wherein the fiberoptic adapters at the second drop cable connection region are part ofenvironmentally hardened connectors mounted to the enclosure.
 8. Theterminal assembly of claim 6, wherein the enclosure defines a centralaxis that extends from the first end of the enclosure to the second endof the enclosure, wherein the fiber optic cable is generally parallelwith the central axis, and wherein the first and second curves curvegenerally about the central axis.
 9. The terminal assembly of claim 6,wherein the second drop cable connection region is defined at a stepstructure of the enclosure.
 10. A terminal assembly comprising: a fiberoptic cable; an enclosure defining an interior volume, the enclosureincluding a first end and an opposite second end, the enclosure having alength that extends from the first end to the second end and a widththat is transverse relative to the length, the first end of theenclosure defining an opening through which the fiber optic cable entersthe interior volume of the enclosure, the fiber optic cable extendingaway from the first end of the enclosure in a first direction; the fiberoptic cable including a plurality of optical fibers, the optical fibersseparated from one another within the interior volume of the enclosure,the optical fibers terminated by interior fiber optic connectors thatare located within the interior volume of the enclosure; the enclosuredefining a first drop cable connection region at which the enclosuredefines a first group of openings, the openings of the first group ofopenings being spaced apart across the width of the enclosure and beingarranged in a non-linear configuration; and fiber optic adapters mountedat the openings of the first group of openings, each of the fiber opticadapters including a first end accessible from within the interiorvolume of the enclosure and a second end accessible from outside theenclosure, the interior connectors of the optical fibers being receivedwithin the first ends of the fiber optic adapters, the second ends ofthe fiber optic adapters being adapted to receive connectorized ends ofexterior drop cables, and the second ends of the fiber optic adaptersfacing generally in the first direction.
 11. The terminal assembly ofclaim 10, wherein the first direction is generally parallel to thelength of the enclosure.
 12. The terminal assembly of claim 10, whereinthe fiber optic adapters are part of environmentally hardened connectorsmounted to the enclosure.
 13. The terminal assembly of claim 10, whereinthe enclosure includes front and rear pieces joined by a plurality offasteners.
 14. The terminal assembly of claim 13, wherein the pluralityof fasteners includes at least 10 fasteners positioned generally about aperiphery of the enclosure.
 15. The terminal assembly of claim 10,wherein the enclosure defines a second drop cable connection region atwhich the enclosure defines a second group of openings, the second dropcable connection region being positioned between the first drop cableconnection region and the second end of the enclosure, the openings ofthe second group of openings being spaced apart across the width of theenclosure and being arranged in a non-linear configuration, fiber opticadapters being mounted at the openings of the second group of openings,each of the fiber optic adapters including a first end accessible fromwithin the interior volume of the enclosure and a second end accessiblefrom outside the enclosure, the interior connectors of the opticalfibers being received within the first ends of the fiber optic adapters,the second ends of the fiber optic adapters being adapted to receiveconnectorized ends of exterior drop cables, and the second ends of thefiber optic adapters facing generally in the first direction.
 16. Theterminal assembly of claim 15, wherein the fiber optic adapters at thesecond drop cable connection region are part of environmentally hardenedconnectors mounted to the enclosure.
 17. The terminal assembly of claim15, wherein the second drop cable connection region is defined at a stepstructure of the enclosure.